Matin Qaim
© Brück/ZEF

Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim (Executive Director)

Professional experience

Matin Qaim is a food systems and development economist with a doctoral degree in agricultural economics from the University of Bonn (2000). Before joining ZEF in 2021 he was Professor of International Food Economics and Rural Development at the University of Goettingen (2007-2021), Professor of International Agricultural Trade and Food Security at the University of Hohenheim (2004-2007), and postdoctoral scientist at the University of California at Berkeley (2001-2003).

Qaim has research and project experience in Europe, the USA, and numerous countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Much of his research focuses on sustainable food systems, agricultural development, and the reduction of poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. He has over 250 academic publications, mostly in top disciplinary and interdisciplinary science journals, including Science, various Nature and Lancet Group Journals, and PNAS. He has been recognized as "Highly Cited Researcher" in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Qaim is member of the German National Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina), Fellow of the American Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA), and President of the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE). He has served on different high-level expert committees, including for the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition, FAO, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), the European Commission, The Royal Society, and the German Federal Government and Parliament.

For further details see CV.

Avatar Qaim

Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim

+49-228-73-1847

Executive Director

Genscherallee 3

53113 Bonn

© ZEF

Division/Group:
Economic and Technological Change (ECON)

Further Information

  • Biodiversity
  • Gender
  • Food and nutrition
  • Markets and services
  • Agriculture, land use, climate change
  • Innovation and science policy
  • Health

Publications 2026

Elmira, E.S., M. Qaim (2026). Macroeconomic Shocks and Long-Term Nutritional Outcomes: Insights from the Asian Financial Crisis. Global Food Security 48, 100900, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2025.100900.

Farjana, F., T.T. Nguyen, M. Qaim (2026). The Effects of Internet Use on Smallholder Farmers’ Income and Dietary Quality in Bangladesh. Food Security 18, 467-481, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-025-01636-3.

Guthoff, J., M. Parlasca, M. Qaim (2026). Seasonality of Employment and Food Security in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa. Food Policy 141, 103089, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2026.103089.

Hülsen, V., H. Ameye, M. Qaim (2026). Urbanization and Individual Dietary Quality: Insights from Malawi. Habitat International 172, 103794, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2026.103794.

Mutsami, C., M. Parlasca, M. Qaim (2026). Women’s Off-Farm Employment and Dietary Quality in Rural Africa. Journal of Agricultural Economics, https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-9552.70026.

Paris, J.M.G., U. Nöthlings, F.A. Asante, M. Qaim (2026). The Sustainability of Diets in Sub-Saharan Africa: Synergies and Tradeoffs Between Human Health and the Environment. Sustainable Production and Consumption 65, 215-227, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2026.04.007.

Wuepper, D., N. Möhring, A.F. Cord, A. Meijide, H. Storm, M. Qaim, T. Heckelei, J. Börner, H. Hadi, H. Kuhlmann, C. Stachniss, F. Ewert (2026). From Technological Fixes to Systemic Change: Vision-Led Innovation for Europe’s Crop Farming Systems. Agricultural Systems 233, 104593, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104593.

Ameye, H., V. Hülsen, K. Glatzel, A. Laar, M. Qaim (2025). Urbanizing Food Environments in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Accessibility, Affordability, Convenience, and Desirability of Healthy Diets. Food Policy 137, 102981, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2025.102981.

Llerena Pinto, M.C., A. Mirzabaev, M. Qaim. 2025. Effects of Recurrent Rainfall Shocks on Poverty and Income Distribution in Rural Ecuador. World Development 195: 107107, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2025.107107.

Mohammed, F.Y., M.G. Khonje, M. Qaim. 2025. Women's Roles in Decision-Making and Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture. Food Security. (Open Access), https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-025-01553-5.

Molitorisová, A., S. Clemens, L. Fresco, A. Hubar-Kołodziejczyk, J. Tosun, U. Niggli, M. Qaim, R.G.F Visser, A.P.M. Weber, J. Wesseler, D. Zilberman, K. Purnhagen. 2025. New Genomic Techniques in Organic Production: Considerations for Science-Based, Effective, and Acceptable EU Regulation. Cell Reports Sustainability. (Open Access), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsus.2025.100405.

Möhring, N., M. Ba, A. Braga, S. Gaba, V. Gagic, P. Kudsk, A. Larsen, R. Mesnage, U. Niggli, M. Qaim, P. Schreinemachers, C. Stamm, W. De Vries, R. Finger (2025). Expected Effects of a Global Transformation of Agricultural Pest Management. Nature Communications 16, 10901, https://www.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-66982-4.

Mutsami, C., M.C. Parlasca, M. Qaim (2025). Evolving Farm and Off-Farm Income Sources and Jobs in Rural Africa. Journal of International Development 37, 1367-1380, https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.70010.

Nguyen, T.-T., M. Qaim. 2025. Local and Regional Food Production Diversity are Positively Associated with Household Dietary Diversity in Rural Africa. Nature Food 6: 205-212. (Open Access), https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-024-01096-6.

Nzira, J.E., M. Parlasca, M. Qaim (2025). An Inquiry into Labor Conditions Across Key Rural Sectors in Africa. PLoS One 20,  e0338694, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0338694.

Pieper, T., T.-T. Nguyen, M. Qaim (2025). Access to Electricity and Gendered Labor Allocation: Insights from Ethiopia. Energy Policy 207, 114814, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2025.114814.

Qaim, M., M.C. Parlasca. 2025. Agricultural Economics and the Transformation Toward Sustainable Agri-Food Systems. Agricultural Economics 56(3): 327-335. (Open Access), https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/agec.70023.

Rana, M.S., A. Faye, M. Qaim. 2025. Temporary Migration Decisions and Effects on Household Income and Diets in Rural Bangladesh. Agricultural Economics 56. (Open Access), https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.70030.

Surendran-Padmaja, S., M.C. Parlasca, M. Qaim, V.V. Krishna. 2025. Private Service Provision Contributes to Widespread Innovation Adoption Among Smallholder Farmers: Laser Land Levelling Technology in Northwestern India. Agricultural Water Management 312: 109411. (Open Access), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2025.109411.

Zeddies, H.H., M.C. Parlasca, M. Qaim. 2025. Agrivoltaics Increases Public Acceptance of Solar Energy Production on Agricultural Land. Land Use Policy 156: 107604. (Open Access), https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837725001383.

  • Khonje, M.G., M. Qaim. 2024. Animal-Sourced Foods Improve Child Nutrition in Africa. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 121: e2319009121, (Open Access), https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2319009121.
  • Kubitza, C., V.V. Krishna, S. Klasen, T. Kopp, N. Nuryartono, M. Qaim. 2024. Labor displacement in agriculture: evidence from oil palm expansion in Indonesia. Land Economics 100: 547-567, (Open Access), https://doi.org/10.3368/le.100.3.122122-0109R1.
  • Maina, K.V., M.C. Parlasca, E.J.O. Rao, M. Qaim. 2024. Farmer-Friendly Delivery of Veterinary Services: Experimental Insights from the Kenyan Dairy Sector. Journal of Agricultural Economics 75: 829-846, (Open Access), https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-9552.12585.
  • Melaku, A.B., M. Qaim B.L. Debela. 2024. Maternal Employment in High-Value Agriculture and Child Nutrition: Evidence from the Ethiopian Cut-Flower Industry. Food Policy 128: 102732, (Open Access), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2024.102732.
  • Musungu, A.L., Z. Kubik, M. Qaim. 2024. Drought Shocks and Labor Reallocation in Rural Africa: Evidence from Ethiopia. European Review of Agricultural Economics, jbae020 . (Open Access), https://doi.org/10.1093/erae/jbae020.
  • Noack, F., D. Engist, J. Gantois, V. Gaur, B.F. Hyjazie, A. Larsen, L.K. M’Gonigle, A. Missirian, M. Qaim, R.D. Sargent, E. Souza-Rodrigues, C. Kremen. 2024. Environmental Impacts of Genetically Modified Crops. Science 385: eado9340, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.ado9340.
  • Qaim, M., R. Barrangou, P.C. Ronald. 2024. Sustainability of Animal-Sourced Foods and Plant-Based Alternatives. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 121: e2400495121, (Open Access), https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2400495121.
  • Rasmussen, L.V., I. Grass, Z. Mehrabi, O.M. Smith, R. Bezner-Kerr, J. Blesh, L.A. Garibaldi, M.E. Isaac, C.M. Kennedy, H. Wittman, P. Batáry, D. Buchori, R. Cerda, J. Chará, D. Crowder, K. Darras, K. DeMaster, K. Garcia, (...), M. Qaim, et al. 2024. Joint Environmental and Social Benefits from Diversified Agriculture. Science 384: 87-93, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adj1914.
  • von Groß, V., K.T. Sibhatu, A, Knohl, M. Qaim, E. Veldkamp, D. Hölscher, D.C. Zemp, M.D. Corre, I. Grass, S. Fiedler, C. Stiegler, B. Irawan, L. Sundawati, K. Husmann, C. Paul. 2024. Transformation Scenarios Towards Multifunctional Landscapes: A Multi-Criteria Land-Use Allocation Model Applied to Jambi Province, Indonesia. Journal of Environmental Management 356: 120710, (Open Access), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120710.
  • Daum, T., F. Baudron, R. Birner, M. Qaim, I. Grass. 2023. Addressing Agricultural Labour Issues is Key to Biodiversity-Smart Farming. Biological Conservation 284: 110165, (Open Access), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110165.
  • Nuthalapati, C.S., D. Zilberman, M. Qaim, P. Pingali. 2023. Hybrid Mustard and Biotechnology: Pathways for Doubling Farmers’ Incomes and Nutritional Security. Economic and Political Weekly 58(43): 47-54, https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5688183.
  • Qaim, M. 2023. Actual and Potential Effects of New Plant Breeding Technologies. Indian Journal of Ecology 50: 1860-1873, (Open Access).
  • Shen, J., Z. Zhu, M. Qaim, S. Fan, X. Tian. 2023. E-Commerce Improves Dietary Quality of Rural Households in China. Agribusiness 39: 1495-1511, https://doi.org/10.1002/agr.21864. 
  • Daum, T., F. Baudron, R. Birner, M. Qaim, I. Grass. 2023. Addressing Agricultural Labour Issues is Key to Biodiversity-Smart Farming. Biological Conservation 284: 110165. (Open Access)
  • Knößlsdorfer, I., M. Qaim. 2023. Cheap Chicken in Africa: Would Import Restrictions be Pro-Poor? Food Security 15: 791-804. (Open Access)
  • Nuthalapati, C.S., D. Zilberman, M. Qaim, P. Pingali. 2023. Hybrid Mustard and Biotechnology: Pathways for Doubling Farmers’ Incomes and Nutritional Security. Economic and Political Weekly 58(43): 47-54.
  • Qaim, M. 2023. Actual and Potential Effects of New Plant Breeding Technologies. Indian Journal of Ecology 50: 1860-1873. (Open Access)
  • Shen, J., Z. Zhu, M. Qaim, S. Fan, X. Tian. 2023. E-Commerce Improves Dietary Quality of Rural Households in China. Agribusiness 39: 1495-1511.
  • Chrisendo, D., H. Siregar, M. Qaim. 2022. Oil Palm Cultivation Improves Living Standards and Human Capital Formation in Smallholder Farm Households. World Development 159: 106034. (Open Access)
  • Debela, B.L., A. Ruml and M. Qaim. 2022. Effects of Contract Farming on Diets and Nutrition in Ghana. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy 44: 911-929. (Open Access)
  • Khonje, M.G., J. Ricker-Gilbert, M. Muyanga, M. Qaim. 2022. Farm-Level Production Diversity and Child and Adolescent Nutrition in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa: A Multicountry, Longitudinal Study. Lancet Planetary Health 6(5): e391-e399. (Open Access)
  • Kovak, E., D. Blaustein-Rejto, M. Qaim. 2022. Genetically Modified Crops Support Climate Change Mitigation. Trends in Plant Science 27: 627-629. (Open Access)
  • Mehraban, N. B.L. Debela, U. Kalsum, M. Qaim. 2022. What About Her? Oil Palm Cultivation and Intra-Household Gender Roles. Food Policy 110: 102276. (Open Access)
  • Parlasca, M., C. Johnen, M. Qaim. 2022. Use of Mobile Financial Services Among Farmers in Africa: Insights from Kenya. Global Food Security 32: 100590. (Open Access)
  • Parlasca, M.C., M. Qaim. 2022. Meat Consumption and Sustainability. Annual Review of Resource Economics 14: 17-41. (Open Access)
  • Rajkhowa, P., M. Qaim. 2022. Mobile phones, women's physical mobility, and contraceptive use in India. Social Science & Medicine 305: 115074. (Open Access)
  • Rajkhowa, P., M. Qaim. 2022. Mobile phones, off-farm employment and household income in rural India. Journal of Agricultural Economics. (Open Access)
  • Ruml, A., C. Ragasa, M. Qaim. 2022. Contract Farming, Contract Design, and Smallholder Livelihoods. Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 66: 24-43. (Open Access)
  • Sibhatu K.T., L. Steinhübel, H. Siregar, M. Qaim, M. Wollni. 2022. Spatial Heterogeneity in Smallholder Oil Palm Production. Forest Policy and Economics 139: 102731. 
  • Altman, A., L.J. Fan, C. Foyer, W. Cowling, R. Mittler, M. Qaim, A.P.M. Weber, M. Reynolds, R.K. Varshney, A. Fernie. 2021. Past and Future Milestones of Plant Breeding. Trends in Plant Science 26 (6): 530-538.
  • Chrisendo, D., H. Siregar, M. Qaim. 2021. Oil Palm and Structural Transformation of Agriculture in Indonesia. Agricultural Economics 52: 849-862. (Open Access)
  • Debela, B.L., E. Gehrke and M. Qaim. 2021. Links between Maternal Employment and Child Nutrition in Rural Tanzania. American Journal of Agricultural Economics 103 (3): 812-830. (Open Access)
  • Jäckering, L., E.-M. Meemken, J. Sellare and M. Qaim. 2021. Promoting Written Employment Contracts: Evidence from a Randomized Awareness Campaign. European Review of Agricultural Economics 48: 1007-1030. (Open Access)
  • Knößlsdorfer, I., J. Sellare and M. Qaim. 2021. Effects of Fairtrade on Farm Household Food Security and Living Standards: Insights from Côte d’Ivoire. Global Food Security 29, 100535. (Open Access)
  • Meemken, E.-M., C.B. Barrett, H.C. Michelson, M. Qaim, T. Reardon, J. Sellare. 2021. Sustainability Standards in Global Agrifood Supply Chains. Nature Food 2: 758-765.
  • Mehraban, N., C. Kubitza, Z. Alamsyah, M. Qaim. 2021. Oil Palm Cultivation, Household Welfare, and Exposure to Economic Risk in the Indonesian Small Farm Sector. Journal of Agricultural Economics 72 (3): 901-915. (Open Access)
  • Otterbach, S., H.R. Oskorouchi, M. Rogan, M. Qaim. 2021. Using Google Data to Measure the Role of Big Food and Fast Food in South Africa’s Obesity Epidemic. World Development 140, 105368. (Open Access)
  • Purnhagen, K.P., S. Clemens, D. Eriksson, L.O. Fresco, J. Tosun, M. Qaim, R.G.F. Visser, A.P.M. Weber, J.H.H. Wesseler, D. Zilberman. 2021. Europe’s Farm-to-Fork Strategy and Its Commitment to Biotechnology and Organic Farming: Conflicting or Complementary Goals? Trends in Plant Science 26 (6): 600-606. (Open Access)
  • Rajkhowa, P., M. Qaim. 2021. Personalized Digital Extension Services and Agricultural Performance: Evidence from Smallholder Farmers in India. PLoS ONE 16: e0259319. (Open Access)
  • Ruml, A. and M. Qaim. 2021. Smallholder Farmers’ Dissatisfaction with Contract Schemes in Spite of Economic Benefits: Issues of Mistrust and Lack of Transparency. Journal of Development Studies 57 (77): 1106-1119. (Open Access)
  • Ruml, A., M. Qaim. 2021. New Evidence Regarding the Effects of Contract Farming on Agricultural Labor Use. Agricultural Economics 52 (1): 51-66. (Open Access)